Fans of the book are looking forward to seeing JAMIE DORNAN as Christian Grey and DAKOTA JOHNSON as Anastasia Steele in "Fifty Shades of Grey".
Copyright:
Copyright: Â 2014 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. less

Fans of the book are looking forward to seeing JAMIE DORNAN as Christian Grey and DAKOTA JOHNSON as Anastasia Steele in "Fifty Shades of Grey".
Copyright:
Copyright: Â 2014 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS ... more

Convict John Cusack, during a prison visit, talks dirty to Nicole Kidman, with marked results. It's the only thing to see in THE PAPERBOY.

Convict John Cusack, during a prison visit, talks dirty to Nicole Kidman, with marked results. It's the only thing to see in THE PAPERBOY.

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Madonna in a scene from the film "Body of Evidence" notable for its memorably bad sex scenes.

Madonna in a scene from the film "Body of Evidence" notable for its memorably bad sex scenes.

Photo: Hulton Archive, Getty Images

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A History of Violence, with Viggo Mortensen and Maria Bello -- always lucky with her lovers.

A History of Violence, with Viggo Mortensen and Maria Bello -- always lucky with her lovers.

Photo: New Line Cinema

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Naked Killer -- Carrie Ng and Madoka Sugawawa in the second of two classic sex scenes in "Naked Killer"

Naked Killer -- Carrie Ng and Madoka Sugawawa in the second of two classic sex scenes in "Naked Killer"

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NINE 1/2 WEEKS, with Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger.

NINE 1/2 WEEKS, with Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger.

Photo: MGM

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Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal in a scene from "Brokeback Mountain."

Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal in a scene from "Brokeback Mountain."

Photo: Kimberly French, ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Y Tu Mama Tambien: At the time of its release, Carla Meyer wrote, "To call "Y Tu Mama Tambien" sexually explicit doesn't do it justice. The Mexican movie is sexually obsessed, just like its teenage protagonists." less

Y Tu Mama Tambien: At the time of its release, Carla Meyer wrote, "To call "Y Tu Mama Tambien" sexually explicit doesn't do it justice. The Mexican movie is sexually obsessed, just like its teenage ... more

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Last Tango in Paris -- with Brando and Maria Schneider.

Last Tango in Paris -- with Brando and Maria Schneider.

Photo: United Artists, Getty Images

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Linda Fiorentino, photographed in 1994, at the time of her most well-known film, THE LAST SEDUCTION.

Linda Fiorentino, photographed in 1994, at the time of her most well-known film, THE LAST SEDUCTION.

Photo: Time & Life Pictures, The LIFE Picture Collection/Gett

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Melanie Griffith and Jeff Daniels were a great union of opposites in SOMETHING WILD.

Melanie Griffith and Jeff Daniels were a great union of opposites in SOMETHING WILD.

Photo: Time & Life Pictures, The LIFE Picture Collection/Gett

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Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly were a erotic duo in BOUND.

Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly were a erotic duo in BOUND.

Photo: Time & Life Pictures, The LIFE Picture Collection/Gett

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Meg Ryan and Mark Ruffalo during "In The Cut" Los Angeles Premiere.

Meg Ryan and Mark Ruffalo during "In The Cut" Los Angeles Premiere.

Photo: Gregg DeGuire, WireImage

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"The Dreamers," with Eva Green and some other people, but definitely Eva Green. Directed by Bertolucci.

"The Dreamers," with Eva Green and some other people, but definitely Eva Green. Directed by Bertolucci.

Photo: Legacy Photo, San Francisco Chronicle

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The spectacle of people having sex while standing up is a movie cliche, but Eminem and the late Brittany Murphy made it work in "8 Mile."

The spectacle of people having sex while standing up is a movie cliche, but Eminem and the late Brittany Murphy made it work in "8 Mile."

Photo: Archive Photos, Getty Images

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Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams made a big impression in "The Notebook" -- and even became a couple for a while after.

Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams made a big impression in "The Notebook" -- and even became a couple for a while after.

Photo: Ray Mickshaw, WireImage For New Line Cinema

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Great movie sex scenes are not necessarily scenes depicting great sex. Sometimes the scene is great because the sex seems horrible, or just ridiculous, as was the case in the pool scene of SHOWGIRLS, with Kyle Maclachlan and Elizabeth Berkley (depicted above, at the film's premiere.) less

Great movie sex scenes are not necessarily scenes depicting great sex. Sometimes the scene is great because the sex seems horrible, or just ridiculous, as was the case in the pool scene of SHOWGIRLS, with Kyle ... more

Juliette Binoche (above) in DAMAGE. Personally, I think the scene in which Binoche and Jeremy Irons have sex and he starts squawking like a duck is comical, but whether you find it erotic or ridiculous, you won't forget it. less

Juliette Binoche (above) in DAMAGE. Personally, I think the scene in which Binoche and Jeremy Irons have sex and he starts squawking like a duck is comical, but whether you find it erotic or ridiculous, you ... more

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Charlotte Rampling and Mickey Rourke in the film Angel Heart in 1987. (AP Photo)

Charlotte Rampling and Mickey Rourke in the film Angel Heart in 1987. (AP Photo)

Photo: Anonymous, ASSOCIATED PRESS

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ATONEMENT -- with Keira Knightley and James McAvoy in the library.

ATONEMENT -- with Keira Knightley and James McAvoy in the library.

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The Hunger (with Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon). For the lesbian love scene, rare for the early 1980s.

The Hunger (with Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon). For the lesbian love scene, rare for the early 1980s.

English actress Julie Christie with Donald Sutherland in Venice by night -- a photo from the time of DON'T LOOK NOW. The rumors were that the two weren't faking it.

English actress Julie Christie with Donald Sutherland in Venice by night -- a photo from the time of DON'T LOOK NOW. The rumors were that the two weren't faking it.

Photo: Archivio Cameraphoto Epoche

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THE LAST MISTRESS with Asia Argento and Fu'ad Aït Aattou. The love scene feels so intermittent you feel like you're eavesdropping.

THE LAST MISTRESS with Asia Argento and Fu'ad Aït Aattou. The love scene feels so intermittent you feel like you're eavesdropping.

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LUST, CAUTION: I found these scenes un-erotic -- so graphic they made me feel uncomfortable for the actors. But others saw it differently.

LUST, CAUTION: I found these scenes un-erotic -- so graphic they made me feel uncomfortable for the actors. But others saw it differently.

Photo: Legacy Photo, San Francisco Chronicle

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Joanna Pacula (with William Hurt) in GORKY PARK.

Joanna Pacula (with William Hurt) in GORKY PARK.

Photo: (c) Orion Pictures.

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Chingmy Yau (with Simon Yam) in "Naked Killer."

Chingmy Yau (with Simon Yam) in "Naked Killer."

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WILD THINGS -- of course -- with Denise Richards and Neve Campbell.

WILD THINGS -- of course -- with Denise Richards and Neve Campbell.

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Casino Royale -- Eva Green and Daniel Craig.

Casino Royale -- Eva Green and Daniel Craig.

Photo: Jay Maidment, 2006 Danjaq, LLC And United Artists Corporation

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"Out of Sight" -- the scene between Jennifer Lopez and George Clooney.

"Out of Sight" -- the scene between Jennifer Lopez and George Clooney.

Photo: Legacy Photo, San Francisco Chronicle

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ECSTASY -- Hedy Lamarr in a groundbreaking sex scene from 1933.

ECSTASY -- Hedy Lamarr in a groundbreaking sex scene from 1933.

Photo: Warner Bros. 1966, ONLINE_YES

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Vera Farmiga and Paul Walker in "Running Scared": Happily married.

Vera Farmiga and Paul Walker in "Running Scared": Happily married.

Photo: New Line Productions/ Larry Horricks, ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Revanche -- incidentally one of the best films of the last ten years, from Austrian director Gotz Spielmann.

Revanche -- incidentally one of the best films of the last ten years, from Austrian director Gotz Spielmann.

Photo: Sophie Muller, Sony

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sex, lies and videotape, with Andie McDowell. Here she is, at the 20th anniversary screening of the film.

sex, lies and videotape, with Andie McDowell. Here she is, at the 20th anniversary screening of the film.

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THE BIG EASY: 25 years later, the ONLY thing anybody remembers from this movie, with Ellen Barkin and Dennis Quaid, is the bedroom scene.

THE BIG EASY: 25 years later, the ONLY thing anybody remembers from this movie, with Ellen Barkin and Dennis Quaid, is the bedroom scene.

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Jessica Lange and Jack Nicholson wrecking the house in their big scene from THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE.

Jessica Lange and Jack Nicholson wrecking the house in their big scene from THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE.

Photo: Paramount Pictures

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Jane March (above) in THE LOVER (with Tony Leung).

Jane March (above) in THE LOVER (with Tony Leung).

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"Thelma and Louise" -- for the scene with Brad Pitt.

"Thelma and Louise" -- for the scene with Brad Pitt.

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Sophie Marceau in "Firelight."

Sophie Marceau in "Firelight."

Photo: HANDOUT, SFC

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Diane Lane holds Olivier Martinez in a scene from the film 'Unfaithful', 2002. (Photo by 20th Century-Fox/Getty Images)

Diane Lane holds Olivier Martinez in a scene from the film 'Unfaithful', 2002. (Photo by 20th Century-Fox/Getty Images)

Photo: Archive Photos, Getty Images

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Walk On the Moon -- with Diane Lane.

Walk On the Moon -- with Diane Lane.

Photo: Legacy Photo, San Francisco Chronicle

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Kate Winslet and Patrick Wilson -- their laundry room interlude in LITTLE CHILDREN was memorable.

Kate Winslet and Patrick Wilson -- their laundry room interlude in LITTLE CHILDREN was memorable.

Photo: John Shearer, WireImage

Houston (hearts) 'Fifty Shades of Grey'

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In a brilliant collision of love, sex and mass marketing, the release of "Fifty Shades of Grey" coincides with Valentine's Day weekend.

Love is in the air - and handcuffs are on the screen.

Devoted readers of E.L. James' blockbuster trilogy, affectionately known as "mommy porn," will submit to lines at movie theaters across the country to see actors Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan bring Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey to life.

Lifestyle

Houston accountant Kay Matthews and four female friends are making a night of it on Friday. They're dressing in red, meeting for dinner and drinks at the Texas Steakhouse & Saloon, and then heading to the 9 p.m. show at Edwards Greenway Grand Palace Stadium.

"Nobody wanted to take their other half, so we're all going together," Matthews said.

She and her friends, avid readers, passed around all three "Fifty Shades" books. Matthews, 35, read the trilogy in one week. She's curious to see what will make it onto the big screen.

"I know its going to be really muted, but I want to see how they plan on pulling this off," she said.

She expects the crowd will be ... lively.

"I hope it's not rowdy, but definitely 'Did you see that?!' " she said, mimicking the type of comment she thinks she'll hear. "There's going to be some conversation going on."

At least one man in the Houston area plans to see the movie, but he might not count.

Nick Jones, a videographer and recording artist who lives near Katy, didn't read the books but caught a few previews of the movie.

"I kind of liked the clean look of it - the mood, the editing," Jones said.

He intends to go to the film by himself and watch it with the critical eye of a filmmaker. He is aware that he may be sitting in a roomful of women.

"That's one of the benefits of going," Jones said. "And since I'm going by myself, if I don't like it I can get up and leave."

BoxOffice.com predicts "Fifty Shades of Grey" will earn $95 million over the four-day President's Day weekend. (Oh yeah. President's Day is part of this weekend, too.) Fandango has already named "Fifty Shades" the fastest-selling R-rated movie in the company's 15-year history and one of its top four pre-sellers of all time, behind installments of the "Twilight," "Harry Potter" and "Hunger Games" series.

Movies that began as books have built-in fanbases - readers.

Cinemas in the Houston area will begin showing the movie Thursday night on multiple screens. One of the biggest, Edwards Greenway Grand Palace, will show "Fifty Shades" on nine or 10 of its 24 screens Thursday. The first of its 20 screenings, at 8 p.m. , is already sold out.

Clearly, the expectation is that the film will be as popular as the books.

James' "Fifty Shades" trilogy has sold 100 million copies around the world. Despite all the sex, readers are hooked by the love story.

"I set out to write an erotic romantic tale," James told the Houston Chronicle in 2012. "It's about first love, about somebody very broken. I had read some BDSM [an acronym for a spectrum of sexual preferences including bondage, discipline, dominance/submission and sadomasochism] and thought, 'That's very hot,' and 'What if you met someone who's into that and you're not?' It's a great story to read. I do think I can tell a story. I can put you in a room with two people and you know what they're feeling."

And that's kind of why one major fan of the books isn't sure she'll see the movie.

"I was really depressed when I finished the third book," said Annette Howe, who lives in Sugar Land and works in marketing. "They were smutty. They were dirty books. Yet I couldn't put them down. ... And now I have the whole story built up in my mind. In a way I don't want to see the movie because I don't want to change what I already think of the book."

Howe, 37, is active on several Greatwood Facebook pages - for working moms, Bunko, and the like. But for a long while, she said, she and other women on these pages were posting and emailing about the "Fifty Shades of Grey" books.

"Here we are, all these moms dropping their kids off at elementary school, emailing about these smutty books," Howe said.

Yet she still has reservations about the movie.

"I posted on Facebook that I don't know if I can handle watching 'Fifty Shades,' " Howe said. "I think I might be more of a 'Magic Mike' girl. 'Magic Mike' is so far out there it's kind of funny, whereas I feel like 'Fifty Shades' goes more into my psyche."

April Cantu, 24, is looking forward to the love story. She'll see the movie Friday with her boyfriend.

"I'm a sucker for a good love story," she said. "And she's about my age and trying to find herself. It's kind of relatable."